Our Beautiful Son Adrian. This is Adrian story: It started out on a Friday evening when a group of friends left Galway for a weekend away. They went to Sligo on the west coast of Ireland and stayed overnight. They all went out for the night and enjoyed themselves. Next morning they started out and was on their way to Letterkenny in Co Donegal. They stopped off at a beautiful seaside village called Mullaghmore in Donegal Bay. Where there is high cliffs and big waves hitting the rocks. A very peaceful place. They stayed there for a little while and then drove on to Letterkenny. They went out for the night and a good time was had by them all. They were returning home on the Sunday and Adrian wanted to go to Mullaghmore to watch the waves before they went to watch a match in Sligo town. When they got there they drove straight through the village and went to "Mullaghmore Head" where the biggest waves were. They all got out and went down on the rocks. He told a friend to change his shoes because the rocks might be slippy. The lads went down on the rocks and the girls stayed on a grass bank just above the rocks. They were there for a little while and were just about to turn to come back up when a freak wave hit and washed about 100ft further up the rocks, Adrian had turned to come up and had his back to the sea and didn't see it coming it hit him just below the knees and knocked him he was sweeped out over a ledge into a big pool he surface once and he was smiling and he was not seen again. He was a strong swimmer but condition on the day were against him. Adrian was 23 years when we lost him on the 18/2/1996. He is greatly missed by his family, his good friends, and the communities of Moycullen and Mullaghmore. Here is a poem that was written by Sean G Clancy, about what happened. Adrian On a wet and stormy Sunday We were all wrapped up indoors A group of youthful friend Climbed rocks and walked the shores Out from Inishmurray the sea began to roll And built up a thunderous wave That crashed at Mullaghmore The girls had viewed all this From high up on the road And to their disbelief There were only three Where earlier there were four An earthquake hit Moycullen When the news came over the phone That Adrian was lost A hundred miles from home No alarm bells were sounded No SOS was sent But the community just gathered And to Mullaghmore they went NO job was too major Or no task was too small When they gathered in their hundreds To the meetings in the hall By cars, by coach or mini-bus The people made their way It may be early morning Or later in the day For those who could not travel Did their work from home Supplying the soup and sandwiches Apple tarts and scones There were some places new to us But will never be forgotten The first we heard of Mullaghmore Was that of Lord Mount Batten Cliffony, Bundoran, Finner and Grange Known to those who went to camp And fired the Rifle Range They walked the strands of Streedagh O'Connors Island and Bunduff The slippery rocks at Merlin Along Tulloghan to the Duff The divers dived and searched in vain The boats they ploughed the waves The helicopter hovered over the reefs And the cameras scanned the deep McHugh's of the Pier House Hotel For you that were there I don't have to tell They turned on the heat and opened the doors And for some weeks we made it our home The people of Sligo and around Mullaghmore Did all they could and could do no more The people of Moycullen when put to the test Were never found wanting and gave it their best The crew from Killybegs were there in good time Were willing and able the cliff face to climb The men from Killala who rescue at sea, made Out the tide tables and where each one should be The Garda Siochana were there in great strength Took care ot the searchers where ever they went Struck to the task in hail, rain or shine Got the pipe smoking clergy to fall into line. ADRIAN You did not get a chance to say Good-bye Accidents happen and God alone knows why You were happy that day on the rocks If only we could turn back the clock Our intentions were to lay you to rest That did not happen the Lord knows best We read in the Gospels you are just asleep Farewell dear Adrian may you rest in peace. We searched for Adrian for 6 weeks everyday, then the search was scaled down to weekends. Three days before the 1st Anniversary a woman walking her dog found some Human bones on the beach in Mullaghmore the Gardai in Sligo took them to England for DNA testing. They were identify as Adrian's and we were able to bring him home to his resting place. Our thanks to everyone who helped.

Adrian's Mam + Dad Brother Vincent + sister Deirdre. Love you Adrian.

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